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Mark Zuckerberg To Testify In Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial. Mark Zuckerberg is set to appear before a jury for the first time in a major trial accusing his social media platforms of harming children and teenagers. The Meta chief executive will defend the company’s approach to youth safety as part of a lawsuit brought by a now 20-year-old woman, identified as Kaley, and her mother. Their case is the first of more than 1,500 similar lawsuits to reach trial, claiming platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube were built with addictive features that harmed young users. Kaley’s lawyers say she began using YouTube at six and Instagram at nine, sometimes spending hours a day online despite efforts to limit her screen time. She alleges the platforms contributed to anxiety, body dysmorphia and suicidal thoughts, as well as exposing her to bullying and sextortion. Meta has rejected the claims, insisting it has long prioritised youth safety and arguing that other personal factors were responsible for her mental health struggles. YouTube also denies wrongdoing. At the heart of the trial is whether Instagram was a “substantial factor” in the plaintiff’s mental health challenges, a question jurors in Los Angeles will ultimately decide. Zuckerberg is expected to face scrutiny over what Meta knew about potential risks to teens and whether measures such as parental controls and restricted “teen accounts” were sufficient. Legal observers suggest his credibility on the stand could significantly influence the jury, particularly if questioned about whether profits were prioritised over youth safety. Kaley’s lawyers argue that internal company documents show Meta understood the potential dangers but continued to promote features designed to keep children engaged for longer periods. For families attending the trial, the proceedings represent a pivotal moment in holding major tech companies accountable for the impact of social media on young users.
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